Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has extended the tender closing date for qualified bidders to submit proposals for contracts to develop and operate four combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power generation plants in Saudi Arabia.

According to industry sources, the principal buyer expects to receive bids for the contracts by 31 July.

The projects, each with a generation capacity of 1,800MW, are:

• Remah 1
• Remah 2
• Al-Nairiyah 1
• Al-Nairiyah 2

Remah 1 and 2, previously known as PP15, will be located in Saudi Arabia’s Central Region, while Al-Nairiyah 1 and 2 will be in the Eastern Region.

MEED previously reported that the consortiums likely to bid for the four gas-fired independent power producer (IPP) contracts include:

• Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa, UAE) / Jera (Japan) / Albawani (local)
• Acwa Power (local)
• Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco, South Korea) /  Saudi Electricity Company (SEC, local)

Except for the Taqa-Jera-led team, the latest lineup of potential bidders presents a major reshuffle from the team compositions MEED reported in March, following the project site visits. 

SPPC indicated that the four power plants are envisaged to operate using natural gas combined-cycle technology with a carbon capture unit readiness provision.

Plans for PP15 were first announced in 2015. Originally intended to be developed on a build-operate-transfer basis, the initial plan entailed three phases, each with a design capacity of 1,800MW. 

The four power generation facilities will be developed using a build-own-operate (BOO) model. 

SPPC’s transaction advisory team for the Nemah 1 and 2 and Nairiyah 1 and 2 IPP projects comprises US/India-based Synergy Consulting, Germany’s Fichtner and US-headquartered Baker McKenzie. 

SPPC has started preparing for the next batch of gas-fired IPPs it plans to tender, as MEED reported.

The Saudi principal buyer is understood to have received bids for the financial, legal and technical consultancy roles for the Al-Rais and Riyadh 16 IPPs. The Al-Rais IPP will have a capacity of 2,400MW, while the Riyadh 16 IPP has a planned capacity of 3,600MW.

Awarded gas IPPs

SPPC awarded contracts to develop four gas-fired power generation IPP projects last year.

A consortium comprising Saudi Electricity Company and Acwa Power signed the 25-year power-purchase agreements with SPPC to develop and operate the Qassim 1 and Taiba 1 IPP projects on 13 November. Each plant has a capacity of 1,800MW. The two projects are valued at SR14.6bn ($3.9bn).

China’s Sepco 3 will undertake the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the two projects, while US-based GE will supply the CCGT for the power plants. 

A team comprising Jomaih Energy & Water, France’s EDF and the local Buhur for Investment won the contract to develop the 1,800MW Taiba 2 IPP and 1,800MW Qassim 2 IPP schemes.

Each project will be developed on a BOO basis by the winning consortiums, which will be 100% owned by the successful bidders.